Selene’s New Friend.

"You'll get punished if you keep doing this." Selene spoke as Isolde made to leave the prison room after placing the tray on the ground.

She had been doing this now for six days. She would come after the regular food time with a specially made bowl of soup and water for Selene.

Each time she did, she received thanks from Selene who made no attempt to say any more words. Isolde on the other hand did not want to pressure Selene in to having a conversation.

So today, she was shocked to hear Selene utter a sentence.

She froze by the door and then closed it gently behind her.

"The prison guard likes me and so this isn't a problem." She said with a shrug.

"Oh!" Selene said softly and then her eyes twinkled with humor. "Well in that case I do hope you like him back or we will definitely be getting punished."

It took a second for the Joke to settle in and then they both burst in to laughter.

Isolde smiled warmly and turned around to leave but then she hesitated thinking of how lonely Selene must be feeling.

"Would you like some company?" She asked turning around.

Selene's eyes widened in surprise.

"I wouldn't mind at all ." She admitted in an audible whisper.

Isolde came further in to the room and sat at the edge of the small bed.

There was a moment of awkward silence with both ladies unsure of what to say.

"Is there something else you'll like to eat. Except soup that is?" Isolde asked.

Selene smiled warmly. She appreciated the fact that Isolde hadn't thought it was weird that she didn't like meat.

"I like fruits." Selene answered.

"Fruits." Isolde repeated. She could not lie that she felt surprised hearing that.

Yes, werewolves ate fruits but it was hardly a preference.

"Well, we are having a full moon's party tomorrow. I can sneak in a whole basket of fruits late in the night if you like." Isolde suggested.

Selene had heard of full moon parties before, Ember her personal maid had told her about them.

"I would really appreciate that, thank you." Selene responded with a warm smile.

"Do you make the soup yourself?" Selene asked after a moment of silence.

"Yes I do." Isolde replied.

"Really?" Selene said her eyes lighting up. "It tastes delicious. I really enjoy it."

"Thank you." Isolde replied proudly.

Then after a moment of what seemed to be comfortable silence, she stood up.

"I better get going, but I'll be back." Isolde said.

"Thank you. Very much." Selene stood up as well and then her scarf slipped off revealing her bald head.

Her face turned crimson pink in embarrassment but Isolde was way ahead of her. She smiled kindly, helped Selene adjust her scarf and tugged her chin gently.

"You're welcome." She said with a smile and left.

Selene could not help the warm feeling that encroached her heart as Isolde locked the door behind her.

As she sat back down with the bowl of soup in her hands, she could not help but hope that whatever this thing with Isolde was genuine.

She needed to find a way to escape but she would not mind having a friend.

——————————————————————————-

{THE NEXT NIGHT}

Luna Vilka was waiting in the hallway for her son as he came out of his room. A few feet away, Alma stood holding a simple candle holder with a small steady flame that flickered .

"Good morning Mother." Zephyr greeted as he approached

This ritual was normal in their lives, a somber prelude to every full moon.

"Did you sleep well?" Vilka asked, her gaze searching his.

"I did," Zephyr replied, the lie smooth despite the sleepless hours etched faintly beneath his eyes.

The voices of the lost soul had resumed their constant disturbances in his head. They were not as loud since Selene's scent still drifted faintly in the room.

"May the goddess be with you my son." Vilka murmured as she cupped his face and placed a kiss on his forehead .

"Thank you mother." Zephyr answered.

As he walked away, a tear slipped from his mother's eyes. She would have yet another sleepless night as she awaited her Son's return.

Ralph and Zeeb were waiting for him with their horses when he got outside.

"Rocco," Zephyr called, and the notoriously stubborn horse trotted from across the dew-kissed field, a soft nicker escaping him as the Alpha gently stroked his mane.

"Silly creature! We tried to bring him closer," Zeeb hissed under his breath.

Rocco, as if understanding, let out a low grunt of disapproval.

In a swift and smooth motion, Zephyr got on the horse before they began the hour's ride to the deep woods.

It happened the same way every full moon. Hours before Sunrise, Zephyr, Ralph and Zeeb would ride for the deepest parts of the woods, where the Alpha would be bound with the help of Otsanna against his cursed form.

As always, Otsanna was there when they arrived, her presence was a calming anchor amidst the rising tension. Her hands moved with practiced grace as she chanted incantations, her voice weaving ancient spells around a moonstone cage.

The cage shimmered faintly, made with enchantments designed to hold the untamed beast within. Silver chains lay coiled beside it, their cool metal glinting.

"Alpha Zephyr, Beta Ralph, and Gamma Zeeb," Otsanna greeted them, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

"Otsanna," the three men responded in unison, bowing their heads in respect .

"The cage will be ready shortly, Alpha," Otsanna informed him, her gaze filled with understanding.

Zephyr offered a tight nod, a silent acknowledgment of the ritual that had defined his life for two decades. A ritual that he had now grown used to.

With a weary familiarity, he began to strip off his clothes, leaving only a small pair of shorts. The cool morning air raised goosebumps on his skin. Then came the cold touch of the silver chains as Ralph and Zeeb, their expressions a mixture of loyalty and sorrow, carefully bound his wrists and ankles. Finally, with a deep breath and a sense of grim resignation, Zephyr stepped into the waiting embrace of the enchanted cage, ready to surrender to the inevitable transformation into the cursed shadow wolf under the full moon.